How to become an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in South Dakota
If you want a career that allows you to use your problem-solving skills as well as work with your hands, the automotive industry is for you. A career in auto mechanics has many benefits including a stable job market and good pay. There are numerous positions available in this sector such as: car service technicians, body workers, glass repairers/installers, truck service technicians and diesel mechanics – just to name a few!
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician or Mechanic in South Dakota
Although auto mechanics in South Dakota are not legally required to have a license, having extra education will give you an edge when searching for employment as most employers prefer to hire candidates who have a higher education or a certificate in auto mechanics.
Some of the topics covered by an automotive technology program may include:
- Collision repair: This includes repair and replacement of body parts as well as painting.
- Engine repair: Servicing, repairing, and replacing engines and engine components.
- Electrical systems: Installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems found in cars.
- Suspension and steering: Repairing the suspension and steering systems found in cars.
- Brakes: Installing, repairing, and maintaining brakes systems.
- Tires: Installing and repairing tires on vehicles.
- Auto maintenance: Diagnosing problems and performing maintenance on vehicles.
In addition to these topics, an automotive technology program will also teach you safety protocols as well as how to use the necessary tools and equipment.
Auto mechanic training in South Dakota
South Dakota has 2,010 working automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That workforce is spread across a state with long rural distances, which means reliable vehicle repair is essential in communities where the next shop may be an hour away. If you want to train here, you have a small but focused set of ASE-accredited programs to choose from, and wages that climb steadily as your skills grow.
What ASE accreditation means
ASE accreditation comes from the ASE Education Foundation. It means an independent review team has checked that a program teaches the right skills, uses proper equipment, and follows national standards for automotive training. When a shop hires a graduate from an ASE-accredited program, it knows that graduate has been trained to a consistent standard. Not every automotive program in the country holds this status, so it is worth checking before you enroll.
Post-secondary programs in South Dakota
All 6 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in South Dakota are listed below. These are programs you can enroll in as an adult or after high school graduation. The accreditation expiry dates are taken directly from the ASE Education Foundation directory and reflect when each program is next due for review, not when the program ends.
| Institution | City | Program series | Notes | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Technical Institute | Watertown | Automobile | June 1, 2030 | |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | Automobile | March 1, 2031 | |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | Collision Repair and Refinishing | June 1, 2027 | |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | May 1, 2031 | |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City | Automobile | AYES program | June 1, 2030 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | February 1, 2028 |
Choosing between these schools
Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls is the only school with three accredited program series: automobile, collision repair, and medium/heavy duty truck. That gives you options if you are not yet certain which direction to take. Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown and Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City each cover the automobile series, and Western Dakota also has the diesel and truck program. In general, community and technical colleges cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though exact figures vary and you should request current tuition information directly from each school.
The AYES connection at Western Dakota Technical College
The automobile program at Western Dakota Technical College carries the AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline that connects students in training with franchised dealerships, so you get real shop experience with new vehicles and a direct path to employment at a dealership after you graduate. The AYES link at a post-secondary school means the program is aligned with dealership hiring expectations from day one.
Both programs include classroom instruction as well as hands-on training. Upon successful completion of a program you will be prepared to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification tests in order to become a certified ASE technician.
If you are still in high school
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in high school and want to get a head start on automotive training before graduation. These programs are secondary-level only and are not open to adult career-changers.
South Dakota has 1 ASE-accredited secondary automotive program, and it is an AYES program:
| School | City | Program series | Type | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy | Mitchell | Automobile | AYES | November 1, 2029 |
The AYES program at Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy is not a basic shop class. AYES is a national program that links your high school training directly to a network of participating dealerships. You get structured curriculum that matches what a dealership service department actually needs, and you build a relationship with a local dealer while you are still in school. That relationship can lead to an internship or a job offer before you even walk across the graduation stage.
If you complete an AYES program in high school, you are also well prepared to continue into the post-secondary AYES program at Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City. That two-step path, high school AYES to post-secondary AYES, puts you ahead of classmates who start automotive training after graduation.
No other resource currently maps this high-school-to-college-to-dealership pipeline for South Dakota students in one place. If you are in high school right now, ask your CTE counselor about AYES and whether your school participates or can connect you to Mitchell’s program.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs
Some automakers run their own training programs, often called OEM programs. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning the carmaker itself. These programs, such as Ford ASSET, Toyota T-TEN, and GM’s ASEP, train you on a specific brand’s vehicles and often include a dealership partnership from the start. They are separate from the ASE-accredited school programs listed above, though some schools run both.
The data available for this page does not include confirmed OEM program locations in South Dakota. Contact each school directly to ask whether they have an active manufacturer partnership, because these arrangements change and a school’s website may not always reflect the current status.
ASE Certification
ASE Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence guarantees that a mechanic has successfully completed a skills and knowledge test to meet the rigorous standards of the auto technology industry.
To become certified, you must pass at least one ASE certification exam and have relevant work experience. These exams cover a variety of specific areas, which include but are not limited to:
- Light repair certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Truck equipment certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Light truck certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
Once you have completed an ASE certification exam and passed, you can list yourself as a certified technician on resumes and job applications. This may give you a competitive edge when looking for auto tech positions.
In addition to this, obtaining your ASE Certification will demonstrate your competency in the automotive industry and increase your credibility with employers, thus helping you to build a successful career as an auto technician in South Dakota.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
Pay in this field depends heavily on which type of work you do. South Dakota has three distinct occupational groups in automotive repair, and their wage ranges do not overlap perfectly. All figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation. South Dakota has 2,010 people working in this role. The median annual wage is $51,160, meaning half earn more and half earn less. The middle range runs from $44,790 at the 25th percentile to $61,610 at the 75th percentile. If you are just starting out, expect wages near the 10th percentile of $38,670. Experienced technicians at the top of the scale reach $80,500 at the 90th percentile. That is a meaningful gap between entry level and senior level, and it reflects how much certifications, specialization, and years of experience matter in this trade.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Diesel and heavy truck work pays more at every level compared to general automotive in South Dakota. The median wage is $58,120, about $7,000 per year above the automotive median. South Dakota employs 1,340 people in this role. Entry-level workers at the 10th percentile earn $45,500. The middle range runs from $49,570 to $65,200. Top earners at the 90th percentile reach $78,810. If you are weighing the medium/heavy duty truck programs at Southeast Technical College or Western Dakota Technical College, these figures are the wage context for that choice.
Automotive body and related repairers
Collision repair and refinishing technicians earn a median of $49,460 in South Dakota, with 800 people employed in the role. That median is lower than both automotive service and diesel, but the 25th-to-75th percentile band of $46,810 to $61,560 is competitive. Top earners at the 90th percentile reach $74,110. The only ASE-accredited collision repair program in the state is at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, which gives that program a clear market advantage for students targeting body shop work.
How wages change as you advance
Across all three roles, the jump from entry-level to experienced pay is significant. For automotive service technicians, that gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is about $41,800 per year. For diesel specialists it is about $33,300. For body repairers it is about $34,900. The clearest path to the upper end of those ranges combines formal ASE-accredited training, ASE certification exams passed after graduation, and a specialty in high-demand systems such as advanced driver assistance, diesel engines, or structural repair. Employers in South Dakota consistently pay more for technicians who hold ASE credentials and can work on newer vehicle technology.
How to read the accreditation expiry dates
Every program in the tables above has an accreditation expiry date. That date is when the ASE Education Foundation next reviews the program, not when the program closes or when your enrollment ends. A program that expires in 2027 is still fully accredited and running today. Schools typically apply for renewal well before the expiry date. You can verify current status directly through the ASE Education Foundation’s public directory before you enroll.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in South Dakota
There are a variety of career opportunities for auto mechanics in South Dakota. You could choose to work in dealerships, independent repair shops, or specialty repair shops. With the right training and certifications you can also open your own automotive repair business.
No matter which option you choose, having a good understanding of different car systems and components as well as the ability to diagnose and repair a variety of auto problems is essential in the automotive service industry.
Next steps
You have seen every ASE-accredited automotive program operating in South Dakota right now. The practical next step is to contact the schools that match your location and your target career path. Request current program schedules, financial aid information, and ask specifically whether the program has active manufacturer partnerships. If you are in high school, reach out to Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy to learn how the AYES pipeline works and what dealership connections it currently has in your area. If you are ready for post-secondary training, visit Lake Area Technical Institute, Southeast Technical College, or Western Dakota Technical College to compare program dates, formats, and application requirements. The wage data above gives you a realistic picture of where your earnings can go; the programs listed here are how you get there.
Source:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm